Fiji through to quarter final despite 23-24 loss to Portugal

The Fiji Water Flying Fijians have qualified for the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter finals after a lapse of 16 years despite their disappointing 24-23 loss to Portugal this morning.

Fiji needed at least one point from this match and they managed to secure a bonus point loss which has helped them finish in second place ahead of the Wallabies.

The Flying Fijians have now set up a quarter final showdown against England next week.

Fiji started the game well with a penalty that was converted by halfback Frank Lomani to take an early 3-0 lead in the 8th minute of the game.

Fiji had opportunities to score more points but could not manage to capitalise on it giving possessions away to the Portuguese.

Portugal managed to level the score in the 37th minute with a penalty.

Both teams showed desperation to get past each other’s defensive line but mistakes proved too costly for them in the first half as the game went into halftime locked at 3-all.

Portugal started the second half strongly with a converted try in the 45th minute to take a 10-3 lead before Fiji replied 2 minutes later with a converted try to Levani Botia to lock the score at 10-all again.

Francisco Fernandes scored a converted try for Portugal in the 51st minute to regain the lead.

Fiji’s replacement prop Mesake Doge replied with a converted try in the 67th minute to level the score at 17-all.

Lomani converted another two penalty kicks to take a 23-17 lead before Portugal winger Rodrigues Mata scored a try in the 78th minute before Samuel Marques converted the winning conversion to give Portugal their first-ever win over Fiji and also at a Rugby World Cup.

Meanwhile, in other matches played, Argentina beat Japan 39-27, Tonga beat Romania 45-24, RWC host France beat Italy 60-7, the All Blacks thrashed Uruguay 73-0, Ireland beat Scotland 36-14, Wales defeated Georgia 43-19 and England narrowly beat Samoa 18-17. Meanwhile, the RWC quarter finals have been confirmed as Wales will play Argentina at 3am Sunday, Ireland will take on the All Blacks at 7am on Sunday, Fiji will play England at 3am next Monday and hosts France will play South Africa at 7am next Monday.

Rugby World Cup - Bronze and Grand Final

Match Report

Fulltime: Fiji 23-24 Portugal.

77' Portugal scores a try to Rodrigues Mata. Conversion successful. Portugal takes the lead. FIJ 23-24 POR.

75' Fiji awarded another penalty with Lomani having another attempt at goal and is successful. FIJ 23-17 POR.

72' Fiji awarded a penalty, Lomani attempts a kick at goal. Attempt successful, Fiji takes the lead. FIJ 20-17 POR.

67' Replacement prop Mesake Doge scores Fiji's second try. Conversion from Lomani is successful. FIJ 17-17 POR.

51' Francisco Fernandes scores for Portugal to regain the lead. Conversion successful. FIJ 10-17 POR.

47' Fiji replies with a try to flanker Levani Botia. Lomani converts to level the score. FIJ 10-10 POR. 45' Portugal scores a try in the corner and conversion is successful to take the lead. FIJ 3-10 POR.

Half Time: FIJ 3-3 POR

37' Portugal awarded a penalty and attempted a kick at goal. Attempt successful. FIJ 3-3 POR.

8' Fiji awarded a penalty. Frank Lomani attempts a shot at goal and is successful. FIJ 3-0 POR.

4 mins. Mawi nicks the ball at the breakdown on his own 22, but Botitu’s clearance kick is charged down by Bettencourt and it looks like Fiji are in some trouble before Marques is pinged for not releasing to relieve the pressure.

2 mins. A confident start from Portugal, warming everyone’s hands with the ball before some miscommunication at the ruck allows Mayanavanua to yoink the ball as it comes out. But, Fiji are then offside at the next breakdown.

- Kick off!